Category: Customer Centric Business

The New Strategic Growth Blueprint for Successfully Reimagining Market Research

Posted on by Denyse Drummond-Dunn

It is a well-known fact that when budgets are tight, marketing is usually one of the first departments to suffer cuts, and market research in particular!

Why is this? I believe it is because their ROI is longer-term and often difficult to prove. They therefore make the perfect target for sweeping reductions. What they all need is a strategic growth blueprint.

A few years ago, I was asked to talk on this topic at the Planung&Analyse conference in Frankfurt. Despite rave reviews of the talk itself, many commented that they would have liked me to propose some sort of formula to help them to better defend themselves. So I decided to do just that with this post, but first a warning; customer understanding is being lost!

According to research by BurtchWorks, 20.7% of researchers changed jobs after an average of 3.1 years in their position. However, those with over ten years experience showed slightly lower levels of churn (17.8% and 3.4 years)

A study from Spencer Stuart among CMOs of Fortune 500 companies found that the average tenure is 4.2 years, roughly on par with the rest of the C-suite (4.4 years), with B2B companies (4.4 years) slightly better off than B2C (4.1 years).

These numbers made me realise that customer understanding risks being forgotten and then constantly reinvented by newly hired people in marketing and market research positions. What a waste of resources!

But there is something that you can do to increase the ROI of your spending, which is something the C-suite has long demanded of marketing departments. And that is to develop a CMO Strategic Growth Blueprint that includes reimagining market research and how data and information are used.

 

The ROI of Market Research

The challenge of proving the value of market research (MR) has also been a hot topic for more than a decade. And yet we didn’t seem to be any closer to solving it, at least until recently. I think that this is because all the studies I have seen on the topic concentrate on identifying what is wrong, but rarely offer help in what to change to provide more visible value to their companies. I want to put this right.

The CEB / Gartner Analysis: This analysis concludes that MR provides two types of value. Firstly from new projects and secondly from accumulated knowledge over time. By plotting these two, they came out with a three-phase progression of how MR can add value to an organisation. (see below)

CEB / Gartner MR Value

However, with both marketers and market researchers changing jobs (too) frequently, there is far less accumulated knowledge than previously. But don’t worry I have the solution in the form of a new model of CX, which I will explain in a moment.

 

The BCG Analysis: A few years after the CEB study, BCG (Boston Consulting Group) updated their own analysis of research they first ran in 2009. They came out with a slightly more differentiated four phases of value for MR as … Click to continue reading

The Power of Atomic Change to Unlock Quantum Growth in Any Business

Posted on by Denyse Drummond-Dunn

Organizations must be agile and adaptable to thrive in today’s rapidly evolving business landscape. This is why atomic change is more effective than quantum disruption.

The traditional approach to turbulent times has always been a monumental, top-down transformation. But this is no longer the only path to success and is certainly not the most effective.

Today, many companies are turning to a more nuanced strategy: atomic change. Atomic change is the father of agility and clarifies what is needed to meet our ever-changing world.

 

The Nature of Atomic Change

Atomic changes, also known as incremental or small-scale changes, involve making discrete adjustments to various aspects of a business. These changes are often gradual but collectively lead to significant transformation over time.

Let’s explore the key advantages of this approach:

1. Reduced Resistance: Atomic changes are met with less resistance from employees since they are usually less dramatic. A Gartner survey found that employees’ willingness to support enterprise change fell from 74% in 2016 to just 43% in 2022. So clearly atomic changes are the way to go.

Another survey, this time from Wharton, found that 70% of employees are more likely to embrace smaller, incremental changes compared to large-scale transformations. And McKinsey found that companies which failed their transformation programs identified employee resistance or management behaviour as the major barrier (72%) to success.

When Microsoft implemented its move from Windows 8 to Windows 10, they initially faced resistance from users who were accustomed to the older operating system. To address this, Microsoft introduced a series of atomic changes through regular updates and improvements to Windows 10. Over time, users began to appreciate the gradual enhancements, resulting in a higher acceptance rate and reduced resistance.

2. Faster Implementation: Another research study from McKinsey indicates that atomic changes can be implemented 30% faster, on average, than large-scale transformations. This seems obvious, but it is good to keep in mind in today’s dynamic business environment.

Amazon, known for its agile approach, continuously makes atomic changes to its e-commerce platform. They frequently implement small updates and new features, allowing them to respond swiftly to market demands. This rapid deployment strategy enables Amazon to maintain its competitive edge in the fast-paced online retail industry. It also allows them to identify winning concepts while highlighting and quickly removing those which don’t resonate with customers.

Join our Ultimate 60-mins CX Makeover to discover new ways to implement atomic change in your own organisation.

Statistics That Speak Volumes

The effectiveness of atomic change is not just anecdotal; it is backed by compelling statistics:


1. Employee Engagement: A Gallup poll revealed that organizations that frequently implement small, incremental changes report 25% higher employee engagement levels than those relying solely on large-scale transformations.

Google’s “20% Time” policy is a famous example of fostering employee engagement through atomic changes. Google encourages its employees to spend 20% of their work hours on projects of their choice. This practice has led to the development of innovative products like Gmail … Click to continue reading

Feedback Fuelled Success: The Dynamic Duo of Continuous Improvement and Customer Insights

Posted on by Denyse Drummond-Dunn

Last week I spoke about the importance of actioning customer feedback, so I want to now focus on continuous improvement by using the information to optimise the brands and services you offer.

 

The Customer’s Need for Continuous Improvement

The only constant in business today is change! And customers expect businesses to be constantly adapting and preparing for their future needs.

A survey by Salesforce reported that 76% of consumers expect companies to understand their needs and expectations.

Thriving in this dynamic environment requires a commitment to continuous improvement and a deep understanding of customer needs and preferences.

Businesses that embrace these practices enhance their products and services and craft exceptional customer experiences, setting themselves apart from the competition.

This blog looks at the critical role of continuous improvement and customer feedback, offering insights and strategies to help organizations stay ahead and resonate with their market.

 

The Value of Continuous Improvement

Continuous improvement is not just a strategy; it’s a mindset that drives business growth and success. In a world where customer expectations are continually evolving, companies that prioritize ongoing improvement can adapt, innovate, and remain competitive.

For instance, Toyota, through its Kaizen philosophy, has seen a significant reduction in production costs and an increase in vehicle quality.

1.1 The Concept of Continuous Improvement

Continuous improvement, a philosophy embodied by concepts like Kaizen and lean management, is about making small, incremental changes that collectively lead to significant enhancements.

This approach is not just about streamlining processes; it’s about fostering a culture where every team member is empowered and encouraged to seek out ways to enhance performance and productivity.

A study by Bain & Company revealed that companies embracing lean management and continuous improvement techniques saw a 20% increase in customer satisfaction and a 35% growth in financial performance.

1.2 Benefits of Continuous Improvement

The benefits of continuous improvement extend beyond operational efficiency. It’s about nurturing a proactive culture that anticipates and responds to changes swiftly.

Organisations that adopt this approach witness improved productivity, heightened customer satisfaction, and a robust capacity for innovation. It’s not just about doing things right; it’s about doing the right things, continually.

For example, Motorola’s Six Sigma program has reportedly saved the company over $17 billion over the years.

 

Leveraging Customer Feedback for Improvement

Customer feedback is an invaluable resource, offering direct insights into what’s working and what’s not.

Microsoft’s decision to reintroduce the Start menu in Windows, following widespread customer feedback, significantly improved user satisfaction and acceptance.

2.1 Listening to Customer Voice

Customers interact with businesses through various channels, each offering unique insights. From surveys to social media interactions and direct customer service engagements, understanding how to collect and leverage these interactions is crucial.

Each channel provides a different perspective, collectively offering a comprehensive view of customer sentiment and experience.

Adobe’s Digital Trends Report highlighted that companies with strong omnichannel customer engagement strategies retain on average 89% of their customers compared to 33% for companies with weak omnichannel strategies.

2.2 Analyzing Customer Feedback

… Click to continue reading

A New Breakthrough Model of Customer Experience – Quantum Customer Centricity™

Posted on by Denyse Drummond-Dunn

The World Has Changed. Everyone is talking about the importance of customer centricity. But they should be actioning quantum customer centricity! Let me explain.

Many people think that customer centricity is the same as customer experience. They’re wrong! At least if they are thinking about the traditional CX model.

As we start a new year, I am celebrating the official launch of the New CX Model Quantum Customer Centricity™ (QC²) … Beyond CX. After decades of learning and experimentation, I created QC2 so that every business can successfully adopt a customer-first strategy, and become more agile, more resourceful, and experience increased market growth.

 

Adopting a Customer-First Strategy is Essential

The CX Index states that 90% of businesses, regardless of the vertical they are operating in, have made CX their primary focus. And research by Gartner concluded that 80% of organizations expect to compete mainly based on CX.

Therefore, you could already have been left behind, unless you’ve started on your journey to increased customer centricity! But there is a big difference between talking about putting the customer first and doing so.

The CEI Survey found that 86% of buyers will pay more for a better customer experience. However, only 1% of customers feel that vendors consistently meet their expectations.

That’s good news for you late adopters, as it means you may still have time to benefit from delivering a better CX experience for your customers, but you must act NOW!

And anyway, why wouldn’t you? The benefits are huge!

According to research, customer-centric companies grow their revenues 4% to 8% faster than their market competitors. Not only that, 79% reported significant cost savings, and 84% increased their revenue.

But how do you optimise your own customer-first strategy, and where do you begin?

 

Why Traditional CX is Letting You Down Without You Even Knowing It!

Most discussions about customer experience only consider the interaction between the customer and the company. As a result, most effort goes into improving customer service departments and call centres.

Since these departments tend to be either small or even outsourced, changes to them have little impact on how a business works. And unfortunately, they are also rarely of great interest to top management.

The customer journey is often seen as linear and only impacting the different departments at distinct points in time. Even if customer emotions are considered at each touchpoint, which is already an improvement on the usual journey map, it remains limited and static.

In addition, information about the customer may be gathered, but it is rarely shared across departments, let alone integrated for deeper knowledge and understanding of the customer.

All of this has resulted in individual actions being taken without a holistic view of the customer or their experience. That is why so few organisations succeed in delighting the customer with their customer-first strategy adoption.

It’s time for a new CX model!

 

The Quantum Customer Centricity™ (QC2) Model

The new CX model, Quantum Customer Centricity™ … Click to continue reading

7 Secrets to Business Growth from Leading Global Brands

Posted on by Denyse Drummond-Dunn

Whenever several people ask me to share my strategies for achieving business growth, it indicates that something significant is happening in the marketplace.

This is precisely what happened to me a few months ago. No less than two of my current clients and four new companies have asked me for support in growing their businesses in just the past month! In particular, they have all said that one or more of their brands is stable (to be polite) and that they want to reverse their (negative) trend.

Is this your situation, too? Did you also struggle to achieve growth this year? If so, I have a useful 7-step process that will bring you rapid change in 2024. (although if I were one of the self-proclaimed “gurus” we all see on social media these days, I probably would guarantee you results in days or weeks, shouldn’t I?!!)

I believe that one of the major issues in marketing these days is that companies are following an incomplete, outdated CX (customer experience) model.

 

The Need for a New CX Model

The CX Index states that 90% of businesses, regardless of the vertical they are operating in, have made CX their primary focus. And research by Gartner concluded that 80% of organizations expect to compete mainly based on CX.

This should be good news for customers, but there’s a problem.

Most discussions about customer experience only consider the interaction between the customer and the company. As a result, most effort goes into improving customer service departments and call centres.

Since these departments tend to be either smaller or even outsourced, their changes have little impact on how a business works. They are also of little interest to top management.

The customer journey is seen as linear and only impacts different departments at distinct points in time. Even if their emotions are considered at each touchpoint, which is already an improvement, it remains static.

In addition, information about the customer may be gathered, but it is rarely shared, let alone integrated, for deeper knowledge and understanding.

This has resulted in individual actions being taken without a holistic view of the customer or their experience. That is why so few succeed.

 

Quantum Customer CentricityQuantum Customer Centricity (QC2) takes a multi-dimensional view of the four moving parts of a customer-first strategy. It boosts business by leveraging your strengths while identifying the biggest opportunities for growth. It finds the small, key changes that will maximise your company’s benefit.

And these smaller atomic transformations are far more likely to succeed than larger ones.

QC2 is a breakthrough approach that integrates rather than replaces what you are already doing well, so progress is made faster and usually also considerably cheaper.

It creates greater agility, delivering more targeted and accelerated results than most of the traditional models typical to larger organizations.

If you’d like to learn more about QC² and what it can do for your business, you can download a free copy of the book “The … Click to continue reading

Using AI to Delight Your Customers With More AI (Authentic Interactions)

Posted on by Denyse Drummond-Dunn

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become an integral part of our daily lives and has revolutionized how we interact with technology and businesses. This post discusses how to use AI to enhance customer experience with another AI, authentic interactions.

Over the past year, the AI landscape has witnessed a significant shift from AI versus AI competitions to AI working in collaboration with AI. Although AI-driven interactions have made significant progress, it is time to take them to the next level by integrating authentic interactions with AI to deliver exceptional customer experiences.

Let’s examine how AI has evolved in customer relations and explore ten ways in which businesses can integrate authentic interactions with AI to enhance customer experiences.

Get ready to delve into a world where technology meets humanity, where the future of customer engagement is not AI versus AI, but AI working in tandem with AI.

 

The Evolution of AI in Authentic Interactions with Customers

Over the years, AI has greatly evolved in customer interactions. Initially, AI was used to automate monotonous tasks and to provide quick and efficient responses to customer inquiries. However, the early AI systems were often inflexible and could not understand and adapt to the subtleties of human communication.

With the advances in AI technology, we have seen the emergence of chatbots and virtual assistants that can engage in more natural and context-aware conversations.

This development has led to a shift from the traditional AI versus AI approach, where AI tries to outsmart or outperform other AIs, to a more collaborative approach known as AI + AI.

 

AI + AI: The Future of Customer Engagements

The combination of AI and AI marks a significant change in how businesses utilize AI technologies for authentic customer interactions. Instead of setting one AI system against another, businesses are now concentrating on integrating multiple AI components to function together fluidly, ultimately improving customer experiences.

Here are ten methods to integrate authentic interactions with AI to achieve this goal:

1. Embracing Emotional Intelligence (EI) is crucial for AI. It involves training algorithms to recognize and respond to human emotions by understanding cues such as tone of voice, choice of words, and facial expressions.

This helps AI to gauge a customer’s emotional state and respond appropriately with empathy and support. When AI acknowledges their feelings, customers feel heard and valued and offer personalized solutions.

I believe pre-programmed responses should be banned as they are easily recognized and do more harm than good. Call centre representatives should be given the autonomy to do what’s best for the customer within certain guidelines. If you’d like to read more about delivering best-in-class customer service, read the post: “7 Ways to Deliver Awesome Customer Service & Build Loyal Advocates”

2. Human-AI hybrid teams combine the best of both worlds by utilizing the strengths of humans and AI systems. AI is highly efficient in handling routine tasks and queries, allowing for quick and seamless responses to customers.

However, when complex issues arise or when human empathy

… Click to continue reading

Today’s Toughest Marketing Challenge is Not Achieving Customer Satisfaction!

Posted on by Alan Hale

Customer satisfaction doesn’t last as long as it used to.

We’ve all become extremely demanding, thanks to constant new offers of innovation and novelty.

Today, we want things better, faster and sometimes cheaper as well. And customer satisfaction is becoming insufficient to drive growth alone. Companies need to deliver more, a lot more!

I was recently in the US, and as seems to be the norm these days, the hotel in which I stayed asked me to rate my stay afterwards. I completed their form, giving only four and five-star ratings, as I had been very satisfied with my visit, the hotel room, the staff and their services. Imagine my surprise, therefore when I got the following email a day or so after submitting my review:

“Thank you for taking the time to complete our online survey regarding your recent stay at our hotel.

On behalf of our entire team, I would like to apologize for failing to exceed your expectations. Your satisfaction is important to us and we will be using the feedback you provided to make improvements to ensure we offer an exceptional experience for our guests in the future.

I hope that you will consider staying with us again so that we can have another chance to provide you with a superior experience.”

Shocking mail, isn’t it? To think that a Hotel would apologise for not exceeding my expectations!

I believe that is exactly why they get a 4.5-star rating on TripAdvisor. For them, customer satisfaction is not enough; they want their guests to be enchanted, enthralled, and excited, so a return visit is a “no-brainer”; no other hotel choice would make sense!

So I have a question for you: How do you treat your own customers? Do you do just enough to satisfy them, or do you consistently look to exceed their expectations?

If you are a regular reader here – and I’d love to know why if you’re not, so I can do better in the future – you will know that I often talk about “surprising” and “delighting” our customers. These are not hollow words; there’s a very real reason why I use them. The reason is that our customers may be satisfied, but they will never stay satisfied for long.

The above example is one way that the hotel staff ensures they have enough time to correct whatever is not a “superior experience,” as they term their own desired service level, and to continue to offer total customer satisfaction.

 

Examples of Brands Going Beyond Customer Satisfaction

Here are a few examples of other companies that go above and beyond in terms of their own customer service. I hope they inspire you to do the same and to aspire to exceed customer satisfaction whenever and wherever you can.

Coming back to the title of this post, I hope you now agree that satisfaction is no longer sufficient to attract and keep your customers.

It’s time to step up your game to aim … Click to continue reading

Building Customer Trust and Loyalty: The Foundation of Successful Businesses

Posted on by Denyse Drummond-Dunn

In the ever-changing landscape of business today, one factor remains timeless and invaluable: building customer trust and loyalty.

Trust and loyalty are the cornerstones that sustain a business and drive customer retention, advocacy, and long-term profitability. In today’s competitive market, where options abound, and consumer preferences constantly shift, nurturing trust has become more critical than ever.

 

The Difference Between Customer Trust and Loyalty

Let me start by clarifying the difference between trust and loyalty. Although they are closely connected, they are not the same. Loyalty is faithfulness or commitment to a company or brand. At the same time, trust is the customer’s reliance on its integrity.

So how do you go about gaining customer loyalty and trust? Since customers will not remain loyal to companies they don’t trust, building confidence is the right place to start. And to do that, you need to make customer service a priority.

 

Understanding the Value of Customer Trust

In the realm of commerce, trust is akin to gold. It’s the currency upon which customer relationships are built, purchase decisions are influenced, and brand reputations are forged.

According to the 2023 Edelman Trust Barometer businesses are trusted more than governments these days! Only five countries among those covered in the research still trust their governments more – Sweden, China, UAE, Saudi Arabia and Singapore.

This emphasizes how trust creates a sense of security, assuring customers that they’re making a wise investment. But it is also a huge responsibility for brands not to destroy this trust by actions which are anything less than totally honest.

 

The Elements of Customer Trust

Reliability, transparency, integrity, and security form the core elements of customer trust. Businesses that consistently deliver on their promises, openly communicate their practices, act ethically, and safeguard customer data foster trust.

According to an analysis run by GWI, brand trust plays an increasingly larger role in consumers’ purchase journey. Beyond quality and cost (the biggest influences on purchase), having brands they can trust (32%), that come with positive reviews (31%) and a good reputation (31%) are the next leading incentives for consumers when deciding who to buy from.

Trust is cultivated through actions, not just words, and by exhibiting these qualities, businesses bridge the gap between scepticism and confidence, establishing a foundation for meaningful relationships between brands and their customers.

 

The Impact of Trust on Customer Loyalty

As already mentioned trust and customer loyalty are inextricably linked. Trust fosters emotional connections, encouraging customers to not only make repeat purchases but also advocate for the brand. A loyal customer becomes a brand ambassador, spreading positive word-of-mouth that’s far more persuasive than any marketing campaign.

According to Nielsen, 92% of consumers trust recommendations from friends and family over any other form of advertising. Through trust, businesses secure a loyal customer base that propels growth.

 

Aligning Brand Promise and Customer Experience

A brand promise is more than just a tagline or slogan, it’s a commitment to each and every customer. When businesses uphold this

… Click to continue reading

Top 10 Challenges Facing Companies When They Adopt a Customer-First Strategy

Posted on by Denyse Drummond-Dunn

In an era where customer expectations are rapidly evolving, businesses have finally recognised the importance of adopting a customer-first strategy.

However, despite this awareness, many companies still struggle to fully embrace customer-centric practices. Numerous barriers can hinder the journey toward customer-centricity, impacting both customer satisfaction and long-term business success. In this article, I propose ten reasons that often prevent companies from becoming more customer-centric and offer suggestions on how organisations can overcome these challenges.

 

Introduction

We all know that customers exert unprecedented influence today and that business success hinges on one core principle: customer-centricity. The shift from product-centric models to customer-focused strategies has become not just a preference but a clear necessity for every company aiming to thrive in today’s dynamic market landscape. Yet, despite acknowledging its significance, many organisations still struggle to genuinely embrace customer centricity.

The journey towards adopting a customer-first strategy is not merely about altering a few processes; it’s a transformative endeavour that necessitates rethinking organisational culture, strategies, and operations. These are all covered in detail in my book Winning Customer Centricity: Putting Customers at the Heart of Your Business – One Day at a Time. (Click the link to learn more and get a free download.)

For now, I want to share some ideas on how these challenges manifest, why they persist, and, most importantly, how visionary leaders can lead their organisations to conquer these roadblocks and establish a new paradigm that places customers at the forefront of everything they do.

 

The 10 Challenges of a Customer-First Strategy

As the market continues to evolve and customer expectations soar to new heights, the need for customer-centricity becomes a strategic imperative and a distinguishing factor that separates industry leaders from followers. Here are ten keys to unlocking the full potential of a customer-first strategy.

1. Lack of Customer-Centric Leadership: Without solid support from upper management or executives, initiatives to become more customer-centric might not receive the necessary resources, attention, or priority to succeed.

When executives don’t prioritise customer satisfaction or fail to embody customer-centric values, they send a clear message throughout the organisation that customer-centricity isn’t a core focus for the business. Leadership buy-in is essential for creating a culture that places the customer at the heart of decision-making.

Actions: Host workshops or training sessions for leaders to emphasise the strategic importance of customer-centricity. Share success stories highlighting the positive impact of customer-centric practices on business outcomes. Encourage leaders to actively participate in customer feedback sessions to demonstrate their commitment.

2. Silos and Departmentalism: Departmental silos can be formidable barriers to customer-centricity in larger organisations.

In most companies, departments operate autonomously, focusing on their own goals and metrics without considering the broader customer experience. These siloed departments lead to disconnected efforts and inefficiencies, as well as confusing customer experiences and a fragmented customer journey.

To tackle this, companies should encourage interdepartmental communication, establish cross-functional teams, and align goals to ensure a seamless and consistent customer experience.

Actions: Establish cross-functional teams or task forces with representatives … Click to continue reading

The Customer Retention Goldmine: How to Keep Customers Happy and Drive Exponential Growth

Posted on by Denyse Drummond-Dunn

Customer retention is essential for the long-term success of any business. 

We all know that happy customers are more likely to make repeat purchases, provide positive reviews, and refer others to your business. But how do you keep customers happy?

Here are some of the best strategies to retain your customers. Check them out and apply any you are not currently actioning, to enjoy improved growth for your business:

 

1. Provide Excellent Customer Service: This is the starting point if you want to keep your customers happy. Offer fast, helpful, and personalized support whenever they need it.

Respond to inquiries and complaints quickly and resolve issues to the best of your ability.

In fact, go beyond just satisfying them, and find ways to surprise and delight them with a little added and unexpected attention. (more on that later)

  • Customer service is a critical aspect of retaining customers. According to HubSpot research, 93% of customers are likely to make repeat purchases from companies that offer excellent customer service.
  • On the other hand, 33% of customers would consider switching after just one instance of poor service according to American Express.
  • Responding to customer inquiries within an hour can increase customer retention rates by up to 56% (Harvard Business Review).
  • Nearly half of all customers (46%) expect companies to respond to their emails within 4 hours, while 12% expect a response within 15 minutes or less.
  • However, 90% of customers view an instant response as either crucial or very important when they need customer service assistance. Of these, 60% consider instant to mean within 10 minutes or faster.

 

2. Build Strong Relationships: Engage with your customers on social media, through email newsletters, or other communication channels. Show appreciation for their business and make them feel valued. Businesses that build strong customer relationships are likely to see increased loyalty and repeat business.

  • According to a study by Bain & Company, increasing customer retention rates by 5% can lead to a 25% to 95% increase in profits.

 

3. Consistent Communication: Keep your customers informed about new products, promotions, and updates. Regularly engage with them to maintain their interest. Find ways to keep them involved with your brand even when they are not consuming/using it.

  • Consistent communication helps to keep customers engaged and informed about your products and promotions. Brands that communicate with customers regularly witness a higher retention rate compared to those that do not (SuperOffice).

 

4. Quality Products and Services: Deliver high-quality products and services that meet or exceed customer expectations. Satisfied customers are more likely to return.

  • High-quality products and services contribute significantly to customer satisfaction. A study by the Customer Contact Council found that customers who had the best past experiences spend 140% more than those with poor experiences.

 

5. Loyalty Programs: Implement a loyalty program that rewards customers for repeat purchases. Offer discounts, exclusive offers, or points that can be redeemed for future discounts or free items.

  • Loyalty programs can boost customer retention. According to a
… Click to continue reading

4 Ways to Empower Your Employees to Give Outstanding Customer Service

Posted on by Denyse Drummond-Dunn

If you’re reading this, then you are probably eager to delight your customers and take your service to new heights. Well, you’re in the right place to learn how to give outstanding customer service.

In this article, we will explore four transformative ideas that will elevate your current customer service standards to exceptional levels. Prepare to embark on a journey that will empower your employees, foster customer loyalty, and drive your business towards greater success.

As our customers have found their voice and the power to approve, criticise or question brands and manufacturers, customer service has evolved into a vital aspect of every organization.

And while most businesses see the need for customer service, too many service reps continue to respond using pre-defined scripts and answers. In today’s world of personalisation, this is clearly not going to delight your customers, so a fresh approach is required.

Enter employee empowerment – a paradigm shift that enables customer service representatives to make decisions within defined boundaries, tailored to the customer’s best interest.

While guidelines are still important, organisations should empower their customer service reps to do what’s best for the customer – within agreed boundaries.

So giving employees more say in managing customer connections is good for customers, but it is also good for the company.

Organizations prioritising employee empowerment create a positive work environment, which in turn fosters customer loyalty, and leads to greater business success.

 

The Power of Employee Empowerment in delivering outstanding customer service

Empowered employees exhibit higher job satisfaction, engagement, and a sense of ownership in customer interactions. They are also more likely to take ownership of customer interactions, proactively solve problems, and deliver more personalized experiences. This, in turn, leads to improved customer satisfaction, loyalty, and advocacy.

So what exactly is employee empowerment, you might be wondering. Well, it is the process of granting employees the authority, autonomy, and resources to make decisions and take actions that positively impact customer experiences.

By trusting employees to act in the customer’s best interest and equipping them with the necessary tools and support, organizations can unlock a host of benefits.

It increases job satisfaction and engagement as employees feel valued, trusted, and responsible for their work.

 

Investing in Customer Service Training and Development Opportunities

Perhaps you’re feeling slightly nervous after reading the previous section about giving your employees more freedom. Well, don’t worry; we are not suggesting that you give them a totally free rein.

Embracing employee empowerment does not mean relinquishing control; it means providing comprehensive training and development programs.

These initiatives equip customer service reps and other customer-facing personnel with the skills, knowledge, and confidence needed to handle diverse customer scenarios and deliver exceptional service.

Comprehensive onboarding ensures that employees receive proper orientation, understand their roles in delighting the customer, and are introduced to the organization’s customer-centric values and expectations.

And ongoing training, workshops and online resources are all vital to keeping employees updated on new products, services, and industry trends. They also allow them to … Click to continue reading

Maximising Customer Value: Answering Your Top Questions About Customer Centricity

Posted on by Denyse Drummond-Dunn

As a customer-first strategist, I am frequently asked about customer centricity and the value it brings to a business when they adopt the strategy.

I, therefore, thought it would be useful to share the topics my clients ask me about most frequently and my responses to them. If you, too, have questions about customer centricity, I’m sure you will find the answers you’re looking for below. And if not, you can always DM me.

 

So you have questions about customer centricity?

Good to know! Let me start by saying that adopting a customer-first strategy can be daunting for any organization. You should, therefore, not dwell upon your reticence in the past. However, in today’s rapidly changing business landscape, it is more important than ever for you to prioritize customer centricity.

 

What is a customer-first strategy?

A customer-first strategy is an approach to business that prioritizes the needs and preferences of the customer. It means putting the customer at the centre of every decision an organisation makes, from product development to marketing and sales. Put simply, it involves a shift away from traditional product-focused strategies to a more customer-centric approach.

This means that it’s not just about providing good customer service; it’s about understanding your customers’ needs, preferences, and pain points, and then designing your products, services, and marketing strategies to meet those needs.

 

Why is a customer-first strategy important?

In today’s highly competitive marketplace, focusing on your customers is more important than ever before. You can no longer hesitate. Nor can you not make it a top objective for your organisation.

A customer-first strategy can help you build stronger customer relationships, increase customer loyalty and retention, and ultimately drive revenue growth.

By focusing on your customers’ needs and preferences, you can differentiate your brand from your competitors and create a sustainable competitive advantage. Isn’t that what we’re all searching to do?

A customer-first strategy is important because it can increase customer loyalty and satisfaction. When customers feel that a business truly understands their needs and is committed to meeting them, they are more likely to remain loyal to that business and recommend it to others.

In addition, a customer-first strategy can help businesses identify new opportunities for growth and innovation. By focusing on the customer, businesses can gain a deeper understanding of their market, and create products and services that truly meet the needs of their customers.

 

How do you implement a customer-first strategy?

To implement a customer-first strategy, you must start by understanding your customers. For me, this starts with simply watching and listening to them. I say “simply”, but this is one of the most powerful ways to not only know, but truly understand your customers and how your product or service fits into their lives.

Once you have done this, you can supplement your knowledge, if you have found gaps in it, by conducting market research surveys, collecting customer feedback, and analyzing customer data.

All the information you gather can be used to … Click to continue reading

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